First Look: 2013 Mini Countryman

By Doran Dal Pra

November 01, 2012

Mini has just released the details on the upcoming 2013 Countryman, it's all-wheel-drive, less-mini Mini. Available starting this month, the new Countryman benefits from changes that are more of the refreshed variety, rather than sweeping substantial ones.

The interior of the 2013 Countryman has benefited from the most attention. The ring around the larged central speedometer and air vents will now come dressed in Carbon Black, or in chrome as part of the Chrome Line interior fitment package. Mini also reconfigured several ergonomic elements such as the arm rests and repositioned several swtiches to the driver's side door for easier access. On the outside, customers can now choose from two new paint colors, Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic. Mini also retooled several of the Countryman's option and equipment packages allowing for more customer customization.

Engine choices for the new Countryman are the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently on duty throughout Mini's lineup that makes 121 horsepower, a turbocharged 181 horsepower version of that same engine for the hotter Cooper S Countryman, and 208 horsepower variant of the 1.6-liter for the hardcore John Cooper Works Countryman. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, and customers can also opt for a six-speed automatic. Mini's ALL4 all-wheel-drive system will be an option on the Cooper S Countryman, and will come as standard on the John Cooper Works version.

Please scroll down for the official press release from Mini.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – November 1, 2012. In the two years since its launch onto the world’s car markets, the MINI Countryman has developed into a driving force behind the continuing growth of the brand. The transference of hallmark MINI qualities and values into a new vehicle segment has won over new target groups worldwide to the brand’s unmistakable style. Autumn 2012 will see the British carmaker’s first model to offer all-wheel drive benefiting from an extensive round of modifications which will further enhance the allure of its boundless driving fun. Detailed refinements to the car’s design and the selection of materials available for the interior shine the spotlight even more brightly on a premium character none of the MINI Countryman’s rivals can match. The spacious five-door’s optimized ease of use underlines its very modern appreciation of practicality.

The modifications designed for the MINI Countryman will be rolled out across all model variants from November 2012. Open one of the front doors and the newly designed rings encircling the Center Speedo and four air vents immediately stand out. They will now be presented across the board in the color shade Carbon Black and also have an inner ring in high-gloss black or – as part of the Chrome Line Interior option – in chrome. Both in standard trim and with options specified, the fresh appeal of the colors and materials adds further luster to the high-quality character of the MINI Countryman interior.

Newly designed door inserts also help to enhance the car’s premium ambience, comfort and practicality. Remodeled door armrests provide even more comfortable support for the arms, and the controls for the electric windows are now also positioned in the door trim. A full control panel is integrated into the door armrest on the driver’s side. The switches clustered here include the controls for all the windows, the deactivation facility for the rear window controls and adjustment for the exterior mirrors. Moving the window controls away from the centre console also optimizes access to the larger storage compartment below it. From autumn 2012 the MINI Countryman will come as standard with a three-seat rear bench, while a pair of individual seats will be available as a no-cost alternative.

As well as changes to the range of interior colors, interior trim elements and Color Lines, the selection of exterior paint finishes will also be given a refresh in autumn 2012. New additions include the suitably expressive color shades Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic. Plus, a restructuring of the equipment packages on offer to customers will make it even easier to customize the MINI Countryman to reflect their tastes.

Customers in the U.S. can choose from three engine variants for the MINI Countryman. The standard 1.6 liter, four cylinder MINI Cooper engine (121 hp) is the standard powertrain, while the turbocharged Cooper S engine is an option delivering 181 hp. There is also the ultra-sporty MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, powered by a turbocharged 208 hp engine. The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system fitted as standard on this top-class performance variant is also available as an option for the MINI Cooper S Countryman. All models can be ordered with a six-speed automatic gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual. The impressive efficiency of the engines and gearboxes along with extensive MINIMALISM technology ensure all the MINI Countryman variants achieve an exemplary balance between driving fun and fuel economy.

MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The MINI USA sales organization is represented in the U.S. through a network of 115 MINI passenger car dealers in 38 states. MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of six unique vehicles.